A review by madmantha
Specials by Scott Westerfeld

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’m so glad I decided to re-read this series. I’m so thankful for the experience of getting to share it with my partner. 

It’s such an inspiring read for 2022. I’m shocked at how timeless the story feels but yet at the same time so relevant to nearly everything going on today. 
Climate change, capitalism, bodily autonomy, gaslighting/abuse, mental illness (especially due to unstable political environment), prejudice, and so much more. 

I’m still convinced Westerfeld knew that Tally and Shay’s relationship leans very heavily in a queer direction. I really REALLY hope they make the screen adaptation more inclusive of queer and other marginalized identities. And thoughtfully, not just for “woke points”. 

Besides some ableist language throughout the first three books and those couple slur slip ups in the second book, this is definitely still one of my favorite series of all time. 

So much fun to read, can’t wait to re-read Extras and then to move on to the new material. 🤗

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Dysphoria

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Excrement, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail